The Destiny of Manoj Tiwary

Since making his debut for India in 2008, Manoj Tiwary has played less than a dozen times for his country. The cricketer has had more than his fair share of poor fortune and injury, but he remains sanguine about his international prospects.

With the domestic season drawing to a close and the Indian Premier League fast upon us, The Wall Street Journal’s India Real Time spoke with the 27-year-old about his career, the troubles he’s had with the national team, and his biggest inspirations.

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Edited excerpts:

The Wall Street Journal: We have to start with your injury record, Manoj. It seems that whenever you are on the verge of a big break or a consistent run in the Indian team, an injury happens. Do you think you’re unlucky?

Manoj Tiwary: I think the timing of injuries in my case is a bit unfortunate, yes. Three big injuries have happened when I was in a good position and was hopeful of performing well. Having said that, I believe in destiny and I try to be a good human being first. I can keep blaming luck but it won’t change anything. I try not to think negative things or wish ill of someone. I think about my game and try to stay positive. With time, it should work out.

Injuries are a part and parcel of any sportsman’s career. Whatever I am today is because of cricket, and God has been very kind that I am able to recuperate and get back to playing. There are worse things happening to people around the world. There are people fighting for basic amenities, for food and water, not just in India but across the world. When you compare that to my injuries, it is nothing in comparison. So I am happy to be playing cricket, injuries or not.

Tiwary: I have been inspired by different people at different times. When I was out of the side for a long time after my first injury, we had Sourav Ganguly training with us while playing for West Bengal. It was great to see him train hard and perform well to make a stunning comeback to the Indian team. More recently we have Yuvraj Singh, who has fought cancer and returned to the cricket field. At the camp in Bangalore, I saw the desperation in his eyes to play for the country again.

Elsewhere, I think what Oscar Pistorious has achieved despite his handicap is quite wonderful. Also, there was Derek Redmond in the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, who pulled his hamstring in the 400 meter race, but just went on to finish it. This is all very inspiring to always keep working and putting in effort.

But my one true source of inspiration has always been Sachin Tendulkar. Ever since I was a kid, watching him play on television, I wanted to be like him and I guess that is something very common across this country.

WSJ: When fit, and selected in the Indian squad, you have warmed the bench for quite some time. After you scored your maiden One-Day International hundred, you sat out 15 consecutive matches. What does the team management say about this? What are you told?

Tiwary: The communication bit, well, I think you can make it out. I recall just one instance when (India’s captain) M.S. Dhoni had a chat with me about this. It was in Bangladesh during the Asia Cup, when he assured me that I will get an opportunity, although he didn’t say when. When you are in the Indian squad, when you are sitting out games, you tend to know whether you will be playing the next one or not. Being part of a squad, you get enough hints when the team does well or not, whether you are in the mix or not. I try not to think about it and concentrate on my game, focusing on training well and being at my best in the practice sessions.

WSJ: Tell us about your first international hundred, playing against the West Indies in Chennai.

Tiwary: It was a dream come true. From your childhood days, you have some dreams and aspirations in life. My aim was always to play for India. Then when you get there, you dream more; scoring runs and helping the team win. So it was very fulfilling. Here I must say thanks to Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir, because they made it happen in a way. Sehwag rested himself to give an opportunity to a youngster as India had already won the series. Then Gambhir led in that game and he assured me I would bat at number four. I did and was able to score that match-winning hundred.

WSJ: The number six spot in Tests is up for grabs. It must be your next target?

Tiwary: I don’t think you can plan to get selected in the team thinking of just one particular spot. I need to focus on doing well overall, scoring as many runs as I can, whatever opportunity I get. When that happens, it will help selectors pick me in the side and from there onwards, the team think-tank will decide where to slot me. I believe in destiny, like I said earlier, and I am only worried about putting in hard-work, because I have no other option.

WSJ: You have been part of the squad on a near-permanent basis in the last two years, although not a consistent first-team player. You must have had a chance to interact with the coach, Duncan Fletcher, properly during this time. Can you comment on his role with the youngsters?

Tiwary: I can’t comment on this right now.

WSJ: You have been part of two IPL teams: Delhi Daredevils and Kolkata Knight Riders. How has the experience been?

Tiwary: Although I was happy being part of their set-up, I wasn’t satisfied with my stint at Delhi Daredevils. They had a lot of batsmen, both Indian and foreign internationals, so the chances were very few and far between. Then in the second season, I was building up well for that tournament in South Africa but unluckily got injured again.

At that juncture, I realized the need to bat higher up the order and started looking for a team that would give me this opportunity. That is how I got transferred to Kolkata Knight Riders. And let me just say, I had to take a pay-cut for that move, for batting higher up. The Knight Riders’ team management has invested faith in me ever since. Of course Gautam bhai leading the side thereafter has inspired confidence in me.

Chetan Narula is a freelance writer and the author of ‘Skipper – A Definitive Account of India’s Greatest Captains,’ published in 2011. Follow him on Twitter @chetannarula.

About India Real Time

India Real Time offers analysis and insights into the broad range of developments in business, markets, the economy, politics, culture, sports, and entertainment that take place every single day in the world’s largest democracy. Regular posts from Wall Street Journal and Dow Jones Newswires reporters around the country provide a unique take on the main stories in the news, shed light on what else mattered and why, and give global readers a snapshot of what Indians have been talking about all week. You can contact the editors at indiarealtime(at)wsj(dot)com.